Looking for a getaway that offers rock-bottom rates and throws in some exciting extras into the package? What you?d like are sumptuous meals with luxurious rooms that offer picturesque views for a price that won?t set you back by a small fortune! No, we aren?t talking about a beach weekend in Sri Lanka or a few days in Singapore. Why not try something closer ? the hill stations.

Never mind if you did head for the hills during summer. The mountains have a charm of their own in the traditional off-season. The hills may be alive with holiday-makers when the plains groan under sweltering heat waves, but the action is now beginning to hot up in winters when the biting cold sets in. So if you?ve checked out some skiing destinations in the past, a hill holiday may be just the thing this season.

According to travel agents, ?now? is a good time as any to holiday in the mountains ? what with Christmas and the New Year coming up. Travel agents are also cashing in on the fact that the wedding season has countless honeymooners looking for getaways in the hills.

The good news is that the winter months ? from November 15 to April 15 ? bring plenty of add-ons in their wake: the air is sharp and bracing, the crowds are thin thus bringing down hotel tariffs to annual lows. The only exception is the Christmas and New Year period from December 20 to January 5 when hotels command higher tariffs than even the summer season. Visit now and you can knock off about 30 to 40 per cent of rack rates. The bonus for city slickers? In some hill stations, it snows.

A paradise for adventure seekers, the hills offer plenty to do. You can walk down sleepy roads or indulge in activities like skiing (as in Gulmarg), hiking, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, para-gliding, kayaking or even mountain biking.

Besides the popular hill towns in the north and north-east, one should also look south and westwards of the country as well. Statutory warning: hill temperatures in winter can go anywhere from six degrees to zero degrees and below.

In the lap of the Himalayas in the north and east

Close to home in the lower Himalayas lies Darjeeling and Kalimpong (in West Bengal), Shillong (Meghalaya) and Gangtok (in Sikkim). Darjeeling, a celebrated tea-growing district, has possibly the best views of any Indian hill station ? including those of the snow-covered peaks in the distance. The bulk of Kanchenjunga, some 8,580m high, appears to sit above the town. Here you can visit Buddhist monasteries, visit tea plantations, go for a ride on the chair-lift or even go on a trek. The bonus is the toy train ride on the New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling route.

The nearest airport from Darjeeling is Bagdogra while New Jalpaiguri is the nearest station. The journey up takes about three to four hours.

Close to Siliguri and Darjeeling is Mirik, a hill that?s almost completely surrounded by some of the best tea gardens in the region. Another option for a holiday is lush Kalimpong that is dotted with monasteries. About 4km from the heart of town lies Kalimpong?s famous Swiss Welfare Dairy that should be on the must-see list.

Further away, in Sikkim, it?s time for festivities at this time of the year. Your holiday will be peppered by ongoing celebrations of some important festivals. The tour can also include visits to Jaldapara or Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary in the foothills of the Himalayas. Accommodation in three to four star hotels will cost anything between Rs 1,475 to Rs 2,700.

Up north, Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir emerges as India?s premier skiing destination at this time of the year. There are several private hotels, ranging from the upmarket to the budget category that offer rooms from Rs 500 to upwards of Rs 3,000. And if you?d rather not go skiing, then revel in other snow sports such as tobogganing or riding snow scooters. Go for nature walks or ride ponies to day excursion spots like the frozen Alpather Lake, Ningal Nallah and Lienmarg (tourists information at: Director of Tourism, J&K Government, Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. Tel (0194)-72449, 73648, 77224).

The north is also home to some of India?s oldest and most popular hill stations. Himachal Pradesh teems with these and you can take your pick from Bharmaur, Chail, Kasauli, Kufri, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti-Kinnaur, Manali and Shimla. Shimla tops the list closely followed by Kasauli, a cantonment town originally developed by the British.

In Shimla, you can book two nights and three days for around Rs 6,666 per couple. The tariff usually includes breakfast and dinner too. A Kasauli vacation for two nights and three days will set you back by Rs 6,500 a couple.

If hiking, picnics, mountain climbing, sunbathing and fishing are what you?re looking for, head for Manali. It?s an excellent gateway for a trek to the Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions. Three nights and four days here costs about Rs 4,999 per couple, including meals.

In the Dhauladhar range, Dalhousie, in the Chamba district, is another Himachal hotseller. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation?s (HPTDC) hotels as well as private hotels, guest houses and forest rest houses provide a variety of accommodation in and around the town catering to all budgets.

In Uttaranchal, the favourites remain Nainital and Mussoorie. Nainital has several lakes closeby such as Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, Malwatal, Harishtal and Lokhamtal. What?s more, Ranikhet is just 60km away while Ram Nagar, that leads one to Corbett National Park, is just a 65km drive. Contact: Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd, Nainital; Tel: (05942)-35337.

For some magnificent views, head for Mukteshwar, 52km from Nainital, while Almora, another attraction is 60km away. The Nainital-Almora-Ranikhet route makes for an interesting itinerary. In Nainital, a weekend stay costs about Rs 4,999 including stay, breakfast and dinner. Three nights and four days at a four-star hotel though costs about Rs 5,500 (no meals) for a couple.

Mussoorie comes with commanding view of the Himalayas to its north-east, while overlooking the Doon Valley. The town is a gateway to Yamunotri and Gangotri. In Mussoorie, expect to pay as little as Rs 4,999 per couple for accommodation and meals.

Further south of the Himalayas, the Aravallis, one of the world?s oldest ranges, stretches along the West of the country from Delhi to Gujarat. The most popular hill resort here is Mount Abu.

Central India

In the Satpura range, which runs parallel to the Vindhyas, lies Pachmarhi, a quaint and charming hill resort. This is also Madhya Pradesh?s only hill station.

Westward bound

Along the West coast, close to Mumbai, are resorts such as Mahabaleshwar and Matheran. The natural beauty of Mahabaleshwar attracts nature lovers, filmmakers and adventure-seekers alike. Mahabaleshwar?s 30 striking viewpoints offer some magnificent landscapes which are all located within the 10-km radius of its bazaar. Some points can be reached by road while others can be reached on foot. Matheran is another popular hill destination close to Mumbai.

Southern spice

The Nilgiris have beautiful hill towns in Ootacamund and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. If you travel to the southern tip of the upper Palani Hills in the Western Ghats, stop at Kodaikanal. Located 120km from Madurai, Kodaikanal is famed for its picturesque waterfalls, fruit orchards, abundant bird life and rare orchids.

Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty, is another popular stop. Developed as a hill resort by the British in the early 1800s, Ooty retains a colonial flavour with beautiful bungalows and cottages, the Ootacamund Club, the Nilgiri Library, St. Stephens Church and a Raj-era cemetery.

In Kerala you?ll find not just golden beaches and swaying palms but also one of the most beautiful hill resorts in India. Munnar, in eastern Kerala is known for its verdant green environs, and has some of the highest tea estates in India. Tea plantations and tourism are the mainstays of Munnar and it?s easy to find accommodation ranging anywhere between Rs 900 to Rs 6,500 per day.

The hills are alive ? though not with the cacophony of tourists. Quieter in the winters, they beckon you to take a break. And you?re sure to return for more of their idyllic beauty and quaint charm ? but in winter.

Head for the hills

Vidhi Singhania, designer

I?m completely at peace in the mountains. Winter is great for a holiday as the hills are quieter and calmer then. Mashobra near Shimla, Ananda near Rishikesh and Kodaikanal are my favourite holiday spots.

Mouli Ganguly, actress

I holidayed in Manali last winter which was freezing at that point of time. Although it?s very beautiful, due to the heavy snowfall, we were confined indoors. But it was a wonderful experience all the same and I loved the surrounding scenery.

Small town trips

A round-up of less well-known hill stations

• Andhra Pradesh ? Horsley Hills
• Goa ? Amboli
• Gujarat ? Saputara
• Karnataka ? Biligirirangana Betla (B.R. Hills), Kudermukh,Kemmangundi, Madikeri, Nandi Hills
• Manipur ? Imphal
• Meghalaya ? Shillong
• Nagaland ? Kohima